A jewel on the street

                                                                                              

We have an unenviable knack for criticising what we have. Criticise and crib about everything, our future as a nation, our polity, society, infrastructure, government, neighbors, well just about everything except ourselves. Indulging in nostalgia, we lament our present and pooh-pooh the future. The poor are busy with their eternal fight for survival.

The super-rich have no time for the mundane. People like us, living in that large space called the middle class, spend just too much time on discussing, criticising, lambasting, lampooning others and others’ actions. We masquerade as experts to pass judgements; but do precious little about the issues ourselves. When was the last time you met with your friends over dinner? Didn’t you cover all the topics that you and your friends think plague our country, often with frenzied arguments? Didn’t some of your friends make authoritative pronouncements dishing out panacea?

I talk to people, given half a chance, everywhere I go; talk to taxi drivers, waiters, shopkeepers, politicians, journalists, cousins and uncles.

“These politicians have really looted our country.”

 “India has no future. Population, corruption, communalism, tribalism, castes, damn everything.”

“It is so hot and humid. Really, the weather is sick. I hate it here.”

And so on and so forth...don’t they sound familiar?

We focus on the negatives, true as they are, and miss out on our celebrations. It is naive to say that we do not have major challenges. But, we sure have a lot to cheer about as well. Our obsession with failures, soaked in elitist cynicism, is suicidal. We need people who see silver linings amongst the darkest clouds. Need people who dwell on the positives; people who spread positivity. They are rare.

I found one the other day.

Taxi drivers are always a good source of information. Befriend them and you get to feel the pulse of the country. It is true from New York to Taipei (i.e. in this case, if you are lucky to get one who understands any of the languages you know), and Iceland to South Africa. On this early morning visit to New Delhi, I tried to catch some sleep instead on way to the hotel, with a long day’s work ahead.

However, when we got stuck in traffic over the narrow fly-over near Vasant Vihar, I had to talk. “Traffic is not good even at this hour! This fly-over in particular is not well designed.” I expected an instant endorsement from the taxi driver, someone who suffers the most from traffic woes. He replied, to my utter surprise, “Not true. It was terrible before. Going to the airport, we used to queue from Munirka till Dhoula Kuan turn. Delhi roads have improved a lot.”

That was an unknown territory for me! I looked around as if I was trying to make sure I was indeed in New Delhi! Reassured by the Army Hospital and the Hanuman Mandir on either side, I wanted more.

“This city is the best in the world? When I left home for the airport, it was raining; lovely to get a few showers at this time of the year. Now it is bright and sunny here. Where will I get a city that offers such a contrast in one morning?”

I had no reason to correct his facts. Facts were not important at that time; it was all about the sentiments.

He continued, “You should come to this city after ten years. By then, all traffic problems will disappear. Government is bringing in big changes; New laws to restrict number of cars on the road and for parking, with huge fines. The problem is with us. Complain about everything; do nothing. We list what the government has not done; but never consider what we did not.”

After some time, I saw silhouette of the mega malls adorning Saket skyline. My champ continued. “You see those malls, sir? Many people today go and buy a shirt there for five thousand rupees; but, they would not pay their taxes... Even then, I tell you something sir; we are a great nation. It is incredible. We have so many problems. Yet, we are getting stronger and better. Whole world respects India today. Even the American Presidents come to India more often now than they ever did.”

“You said a few lovely things, brother”, I said with full admiration for this jewel on New Delhi street. I paid his dues with handsome tips and went in to the hotel literally singing to myself. My staunch faith in a bright future for our country was reinforced.

Sipping a drink in the lounge, later that evening, I heard people talk on the next table. “My God, what a horrible traffic condition in this city; this is disgusting! I have never seen traffic as bad as this anywhere in the world.” Convinced that the man had not seen much of the world, I turned my head. He continued with his onslaught, “What are the authorities doing? Is anyone in charge? This country is really going down the drain.”

Another man added, vigorously shaking his head in disgust, “It is straightforward. The corrupt politicians have ruined everything. They don’t care. Look at the Swiss bank accounts? The Germans have...”

I felt suffocated. Leaving my drink, I went out of the hotel aimlessly towards the busy road. I might have been looking for another jewel on the street...far away from the madding crowd!